The Texans wide receivers were young in 2016.
DeAndre Hopkins was in season four as a professional, but just 24 years old. Braxton Miller and Will Fuller, V were rookies. Jaelen Strong was in his second season. That quartet returns for 2017, and Bill O'Brien believes that crew will take a crucial step in developing.
"I think that you'll see a big jump from some of these guys that were rookies last year," O'Brien said. "You look at Braxton Miller and you look at Will Fuller and Tyler Ervin – who has been used in a lot of different ways."
The head coach said the transformation has been evident through May and June in organized team activities (OTAs) and veteran minicamp.
"These guys have made a big jump from their rookie year to their second year, even just looking at the spring," O'Brien said. "So, I'm excited about that group, the leadership that Hopkins brings. We're all excited about where that group can be."
Last year, Fuller, Miller and Strong combined for 76 receptions and 865 yards.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
DL, Mario Addison, #97
QB, Kyle Allen, #3
DB, Grayland Arnold, #35
TE, Antony Auclair, #83
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
OL, Justin Britt, #68
DB, Terrence Brooks, #8
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
WR, Jalen Camp, #17
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Chris Conley, #18
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Myron Cunningham, #72
LB, Tae Davis, #19
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
QB, Jeff Driskel, #6
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #98
WR, Drew Estrada, #81
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
DB, Jacobi Francis, #38
RB, Royce Freeman, #26
OL, Kenyon Green, #59
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
TE, Seth Green, #87
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
LB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
LB, Christian Harris, #48
DL, Demone Harris, #94
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
DL, Kurt Hinish, #69
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55
FB, Andy Janovich, #41
WR, Johnny Johnson III, #89
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
RB, Marlon Mack, #2
WR, John Metchie III, #88
DB, Tristin McCollum, #39
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
DB, Fabian Moreau, #22
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
DL, Adedayo Odeleye, #75
OL, Cedric Ogbuehi, #77
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis, #57
FB, Paul Quessenberry, #40
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
DL, Derek Rivers, #95
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Kendall Sheffield, #27
DB, Tremon Smith, #1
OL, Jordan Steckler, #70
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
OL, Tre'Vour Wallace-Simms, #73
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
WR, Connor Wedington, #82
LS, Jon Weeks #46
DB, Isaac Yiadom, #20
